The Battle of New Orleans, fought in January 1815, remains an important conflict in American history. Interestingly, however, the importance is not in its military consequences, considering that the battle itself occurred about three weeks after the War of 1812 was over. (The peace treaty was signed in Europe, and in 1815, news traveled only as fast as a ship could sail.) The battle helped propel General Andrew Jackson to the presidency thirteen years later. It also proved redemptive for some of the most notorious pirates in United States history, the Baratarians, led by Jean Lafitte.

Real Pirates Still Existed

Sallying forth from the Louisiana coast, Lafitte and his associates constantly raided Spanish shipping in the Caribbean (Lafitte’s retaliation for having spent four years in a Spanish prison) and sold their prizes in New Orleans. Trouble was, Spain  was not at war with the US, and Lafitte had an unfortunate habit of evading the customs duties on his captured vessels. Thus, he and his men were outlaws as far as US authorities were concerned.

Military necessity during the War of 1812 changed the situation. Jackson, leading the defense of New Orleans, had to defend six potential approaches against the British. No one knew these approaches better than Lafitte’s pirates. Perhaps realizing that piracy faced a bleak future as a career choice, Lafitte volunteered his services to the Americans as British forces closed in. Up to this point, General Jackson had absolutely refused Lafitte’s offers of aid, labeling the pirate and his men as “hellish banditti.” However, with his forces spread thin, finally Jackson decided to accept Lafitte’s services after a personal interview with the suave buccaneer.

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The Outcome of Employing Real Pirates

Old habits die hard, however. Mere months after the Battle of New Orleans, with Mexico in revolt against Spain, there was Lafitte at sea once more, endeavoring to enrich himself and the people of New Orleans with stolen Spanish cargo one last time.

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Anonymous Portrait of Jean Lafitte